Biography
I am a PhD student in the Srivastava Lab at the Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience. In my work, I investigate the biological and molecular underpinnings of psychosis. More specifically, I use human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived forebrain neurons as a model system and a CRISPR/Cas9 approach to investigate the role of a very robust genetic risk factor for psychosis in synaptic formation, maintenance and plasticity.
Before starting my doctoral degree, I was a master’s student on the MSc Neuroscience at King’s College London, where I specialised in Neural Stem Cells and Nervous System Repair Research and did a research placement at Northwestern University. For my final thesis, I investigated synaptic dysfunction in schizophrenia. Prior to that, I graduated from the University of Munich with a bachelor’s in Speech Sciences, where I worked on auditory feedback control in health and disease.
Being part of the MRC DTP was attractive to me because of the diverse and extensive network it provides. It is really great to be in contact with and learn from people who are experts in the many different aspects of neuro- and biomedical sciences. Another advantage of the DTP has been the wide range of courses that are offered.
Apart from my work as a young researcher, I take great pride in being an advocate for womxn and minorities in STEM. At the moment, I am the president for Women of the Wohl, a student-led group that advocates for equality and well-being at our department. You can find out more about us on our website: https://womenofthewohl.com or on Twitter @womenofthewohl
Publications
Pavlinek, A., Matulevicute, R., Sichlinger L., Dutan Polit, L., Armeniakos, N., Vernon, A.C., Srivastava, D.P. (2022). Interferon- Exposure of Human iPSC-derived Neurons Alters Major Histocompatibility Complex I and Synapsin I Protein Expression. Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Sichlinger, L., Cibelli, E., Goldrick, M., & Mittal, V. A. (2019). Clinical correlates of aberrant conversational turn-taking in youth at clinical high-risk for psychosis.?Schizophrenia Research, 204, 419-420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2018.08.009
Conferences
Sichlinger, L., Vernon, A.C., Srivastava, D.P. (2022): Psychosis risk candidate ZNF804A a key player in synaptogenesis by regulating protein synthesis? Poster presented at: FENS Forum 2022; July 9-13. Paris, France.
Sichlinger, L., Aabdien, A., Raval, P., Vernon, A., Srivastava, DP (2021). Psychosis risk candidate ZNF804A – a key player in synaptic functioning by regulating local protein synthesis. Poster and spotlight presentation at: The Brain Conference: RNA Mechanisms and Brain Disease, October 20-23. Rungstedgaard, Denmark.
Sichlinger, L., Aabdien, A., Raval, P., Vernon, A., Srivastava, DP (2021). Psychosis risk candidate ZNF804A a key player in synaptic functioning by regulating local protein synthesis? Poster presented at: World Congress of Psychiatric Genetics (WCPG), October 11?15. Virtual.
Sichlinger, L., Vernon, A., Srivastava, DP (2021). Psychosis risk candidate ZNF804A a key player in synaptic functioning by regulating local protein synthesis? Poster presented at: 34th ECNP Congress; October 2-5. Lisbon, Portugal.
Sichlinger, L., Aabdien, A., Raval, P., Tanangonan, L., Srivastava, D.P. (2020). Psychosis risk candidate ZNF804A interacts with NT5C2 near synapses and regulates protein translation in cortical neurons. Poster presented at: 12 FENS Forum of Neuroscience; July 11-15.
Social Media
Feel free to get in touch with me on Twitter @LSichlinger or check out our lab @NCNDgroup_KCL